Benjamin Zander Ted Talk Summary

Nicolas Leonard

Mrs. English

Comp. 1

9-22-14

Benjamin Zander: Ted Talk

In the Ted talk, “The transformative power of classical music,” Bejamin Zander begins with a brief statement describing how some people believe that classical music is dying. However, others believe, “You aint seen nothin' yet.” He also adds that he does not want to tell you statistics of all the orchestras that are closing, and record labels that are folding. He wants to do a little experiment, even though he already knows what the outcome will be. Zander then begins playing what a seven year old pianist sounds like. Then he jumps to a year later including the child having lessons throughout said year. He keeps going till ten and proclaims that they usually give up by then. But if they would of kept playing till eleven, Zander states, then they could of played wonderfully. He follows this up with a beautiful symphony that the child could of played.

Zander talks about how you may think the reason for the child playing better could be because of puberty, passion or a new teacher. But he actually is using less impulses in his playing each year. In stead of focusing so much on making sure his piece is played correctly, the child looks at the beginning and the end. No impulses and no worries. I believe Zander was not trying to tell us how to play and love classical music. No, I think he was trying to tell us how we should experience life. Don't base life off of impulses, just look at point A then point B and get there. Don't follow your same patterns and methods of achieving things day by day. Just look at your end goal and get yourself there.